Microsoft Eyes November Release Date For Xbox One [Report]

Microsoft is reportedly eyeing an early November release date for the Xbox One.

According to Kotaku, Microsoft plans to release the Xbox One on November 8— exactly a week before Sony’s PlayStation 4 hits stores.

The company has yet to officially announce a release date for the console. Kotaku cited a source who works for a marketing company that handles product placement and signage for Walmart, who passed along an email for a conference call that lists all of the midnight openings the retailer has planned. The Xbox One’s November 8 release date is the only that has not been officially confirmed, meaning Microsoft could still change the date.

Last Tuesday, Sony announced that the PS4 will be released on November 15 in North America. European customers will be able to buy the console two weeks later on November 19. The console will cost $399, $100 less than the Xbox One.

The PS4 will also have enhanced video and music programming, although Sony didn’t focus on the non-gaming aspects of the console as heavily as Microsoft did with the Xbox One at E3.

“Sony Pictures will do everything in our power to drive the success of the PlayStation 4 by developing programming with gamers in mind and providing access to incredible content,” Sony Entertainment chairman Michael Lynton said.

Sony also confirmed 33 launch titles for the PS4, including Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, Watch Dogs, and others.

Microsoft has confirmed 23 launch titles for the Xbox One, and the company announced Tuesday that pre-order bonuses will come with the console’s exclusive launch games. The bonuses are tied to pre-order “Day One” copies of the games “while supplies last.” The bonuses also include digital downloads for two weeks after the console launch. Exclusives include Dead Rising 3, Ryse: Son of Rome, and Forza Motorsport 5.